SLNG terminal performs first small scale reload

Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd (SLNG) has successfully performed its first small scale LNG Gas-Up/Cool-Down and Reload at its Terminal on Jurong Island. The operation was carried out from 18 – 20 June 2017 for the newly built, 6500 m3, Cardissa, an LNG bunker vessel owned by Shell and co-financed by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility that will serve customers in Northwest Europe.

The operation was conducted at the SLNG Terminal’s Secondary Jetty, which is originally designed to accommodate LNG vessels from 60 000 m3 to 265 000 m3 in size. Detailed compatibility studies were carried out in advance to ensure that the vessel could safely call at the jetty. Among other things, the compatibility studies involved checking whether the vessel’s equipment would be able to connect with the equipment at the Secondary Jetty, and the marine conditions needed to ensure that the operations could be conducted smoothly. Prior to this, the smallest LNG carrier that had called at the SLNG Terminal for unloading or reloading was about 65 000 m3 in size.

Commenting on this event, Mr John Ng, CEO of SLNG, said, “The successful completion of our first small scale LNG reload operation is significant as it demonstrates the SLNG Terminal’s ability to play the role of LNG supply hub for the region. The Terminal is able to break LNG cargoes into smaller parcels and facilitate deliveries of small volumes of LNG to other terminals in the region, or as bunker fuel to ships in our port. We are already looking ahead to further enhance our capabilities in this area, by exploring possible modifications to our Secondary Jetty to accommodate LNG vessels as small as 2000 m3. This is expected to come onstream in 2019.”